Sec. 3. Establishment of Federal Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility
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There is established in the Department of Transportation a council to be known as the New Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility . The Council shall coordinate transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals in a manner that is cost effective, efficient, and minimizes the fragmentation and duplication of such services. The Council shall carry out the following activities: Develop, and update every 2 years, a written strategic plan that identifies Federal agency roles and responsibilities and measurable outcomes, including— the promotion of interagency cooperation and the establishment of appropriate mechanisms to minimize duplication and overlap of Federal programs and services so that transportation-disadvantaged individuals have access to more transportation services; the alignment of the goals of reducing fragmentation, overlap, and duplication of services with benefits, including increased efficiency; the formulation and implementation of administrative, policy, and procedural mechanisms that enhance transportation services at all levels; and the development and implementation of a method for monitoring progress on achieving the purposes of this Act, including the implementation of the functions and requirements of the State Transport Coordinating Commissions.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, develop a joint cost-sharing policy among Federal agencies with representatives on the Council that provides clear guidance to State and local governments regarding the appropriate allocation of costs to each Federal agency. Maintain an inventory of all Federal programs that provide transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals. Partner with State Transport Coordinating Commissions and aid such commissions in coordinating transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals, including— establishing best practices for the coordination by State and local governments of transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals; facilitating access to the most appropriate and cost-effective transportation services using available resources; encouraging enhanced access to the variety of transportation and resources available; and advising each State Transport Coordinating Commission, upon the request of the State, with regard to the establishment of guidelines and procedures for the coordination of transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals.
The Council shall be composed of each of the following Federal officials or the designee of such official: Secretary of Agriculture. Secretary of Education. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Secretary of the Interior. Secretary of Labor. Secretary of Transportation. Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Attorney General of the United States. Commissioner of Social Security. Any other Federal official that the Chairperson determines to have activities relevant to the duties of the Council.
The designee of an official described in subparagraphs
(A)through
(K)of paragraph
(1)shall be an officer or employee of that official’s agency serving in a position with pay equal to or greater than the minimum rate payable for GS–15 of the General Schedule. Each member shall serve for the life of the Council. Members of the Council may not receive pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Council. Each member of the Council shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. Two-thirds of the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings. The Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee, shall serve as the Chairperson of the Council. The first meeting of the Council shall take place not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. Thereafter the Council shall meet quarterly and may also meet at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its members. The Council shall terminate 1 year after the expiration of all transportation-disadvantaged programs, as determined by the Secretary of Transportation. The Chairperson may appoint and fix the pay of personnel as the Chairperson considers appropriate. Upon request of the Chairperson, the head of any Federal agency may detail on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the Council to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act. The Council may sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as the Council considers appropriate to carry out the duties of the Council under this Act. Any member or agent of the Council may, if authorized by the Council, take any action which the Council is authorized to take by this Act. The Council may secure directly from any Federal agency information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Council the head of that department or agency shall furnish the requested information to the Council. To the extent or in the amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts, the Council may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for services related to the duties of the Council. The Council shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the information described in paragraph
(2)not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter. The report required by paragraph
(1)shall— contain the strategic plan developed under subsection (b)(2)(A); identify Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and procedures that have proven to be most useful and appropriate in coordinating transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals; identify Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and procedures, if any, that have impeded the coordination of transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals and recommend changes to such laws, regulations, and procedures that would remove impediments and facilitate greater coordination of transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals; describe, on a Federal agency and program basis, steps taken to reduce the duplication of and enhance coordination among transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals and the benefits realized as a result of reduced fragmentation, overlap, and duplication of services; describe the progress of each State in meeting the requirements of section 4; and provide any other recommendation that would advance the goal of coordinating and reducing the duplication of transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals.